Start/End
Tirana
Duration
14 days
Hiking days
9 days
Activity level
2.5 ( from 5 )
Travel time
April to October
Group size
max. 12 Persons
Accommodation
comfort 3 to 5 star Hotels
Overview
Centuries-old buildings, hikes through idyllic mountain and coastal landscapes and insights into the Albanian culture make this trip a special highlight. We explore southern Albania, including historic cities such as Gjirokaster and Butrint, we hike beautiful landscapes in the Albanian mountains and on the Ionian coast and enjoy the hospitality of the Albanians in typical restaurants and accommodation.
- See Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in the world
- Enjoy the good local cuisine
- Swim in the Ionian Sea
- Get to know centuries-old culture
Included
Excluded
Condition – Good condition and endurance for walking times of up to 5 hours, as well as surefootedness and hiking experience are prerequisites for our hikes. The hiking trails are rocky and sometimes narrow and steep.
Accommodations – The hotels have good clean rooms with private bathrooms. They are very central so that we can stroll through the streets after dinner.
Meals – We usually take a packed lunch with us on our hikes. Breakfast and dinner are eaten in the accommodations. Sometimes we have dinner outside, but the local guide will inform you about this.
Transportation – During the whole trip we travel (depending on the group size) in a comfortable bus.
- Highlights
-
- See Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in the world
- Enjoy the good local cuisine
- Swim in the Ionian Sea
- Get to know centuries-old culture
- Services
-
Included
Excluded
- Infos
-
Condition – Good condition and endurance for walking times of up to 5 hours, as well as surefootedness and hiking experience are prerequisites for our hikes. The hiking trails are rocky and sometimes narrow and steep.
Accommodations – The hotels have good clean rooms with private bathrooms. They are very central so that we can stroll through the streets after dinner.
Meals – We usually take a packed lunch with us on our hikes. Breakfast and dinner are eaten in the accommodations. Sometimes we have dinner outside, but the local guide will inform you about this.
Transportation – During the whole trip we travel (depending on the group size) in a comfortable bus.
- Gallerie
-
- Price
-
Itinerary
01
Welcome in Albania
After a short drive (approx. 30min) we arrive to the capital, Tirana. Afternoon city tour of Tirana (approx. 2 hours) where we can see the main attractions such as Skanderbeg Square, Ethem Bey Mosque, the new Bazzar, the boulevard and the most famous district in Tirana, “the Bllok”, were we have dinner. Overnight in a hotel.( – / – / D )
02
Local mountain Dajti – Korce
After breakfast we go by bus to take a trip with the cable car that lasts 15 minutes.At 1000m we start our first hike and climb the Tujani summit (1500m). After the hike we have lunch in a restaurant with a wonderful view of the city of Tirana. Afterwards, we continue boosted to Korce. Through the Shkumbini valley we reach the Thana Pass where we can glance over the Ohrid lake, one of the oldest lakes in the world. In Korce we check in at the hotel and the rest of the afternoon is free. Dinner together in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.( B / L / D )
ca.3 h. 500m
ca. 3 h
03
Voskopoje hike to Shipske
A transfer takes us to Voskopoje, the famous trading town that today preserves the most beautiful churches in Albania. A shepherd’s path takes us to Shipske, a small village that is almost deserted. Here we see the church of St. George. We run back on a gravel road and drive back to Korce. We spend the night same as the previous one. ( B / PL / D ).
ca.4 h. 400m
ca. 1 h
04
Circular walk in Dardhe -Permet
We’re going up to 1300m. We start a circular hike from the small village of Dardhe. The path leads through beautiful meadows and forests. After the hike we have a long drive to Permet. On the way we are accompanied by beautiful views of the varied landscape. The southeast is the most pristine part of Albania. Dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.( B / PL / D )
ca.2.5 h. 300m
ca. 5 h
05
Sopoti waterfall – thermal springs – Gjirokaster
We take a local bus to the starting point of our hike. We hike through an old gravel path to the beautiful waterfall of Sopoti. We go back the same way. On the way back we stop at the thermal springs in Benje and refresh before we continue to Gjirokaster. The museum city is also called the city of 1000 steps. The rest of the evening free time for your own discoveries in the old town.Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in a hotel. ( B / PL / D )
ca.3 h. 300m
ca. 2 h
06
Gjirokaster- Archaeological site of Butrint – Himare
Today is a culture day. We walk from the hotel to the castle, one of the largest in Albania. Then we visit a typical Gjirokastra house and learn more about how people lived 200 years ago. On the way to Butrint we stop at the Blue Eye. We arrive at the coast of Ksamil around noon and enjoy a lunch break there. Then we visit the archeological site of Butrint. Remains of different cultures such as Ilyrians, Greeks, Romans and Byzantines can be explored here. Afterwards we head to Himara. Overnight in a hotel.( B / – / D )
ca. 2.5 h.
07
Dhermi, Gjipe Bay
We drive to the old village of Dhermi and visit the Church of St. Mary. We start our hike to the bay of Gjipe from the main road. The clear water invites you to swim. After we have rested and swam, we drive back to Himara. Overnight same as the previous one. ( B / PL / D )
ca.3 h. 200m 300m
ca. 1 h
08
Hiking from Kudhes to Qeparo
A transfer takes us to Kudhes. Then we follow an old shepherd’s path through old olive plantations to Qeparo. An old stone village that is almost deserted. Here we can refresh ourselves with a drink at the small village pub. Heading to Himara. The rest of the evening is free time. Overnight same as the previous one. ( B / PL / D )
ca.4 h. 200m 300m
ca. 1 h
09
Dhjopuri Pass
After breakfast we leave the coast and drive up the Logara Pass 1000Hm. Our goal is the Dhjopuri Pass (1500Hm). A steep path through a pine forest leads us there. Sights of the Ionian Sea and the highest peak on the coast guide us on our hike. Today we stay in a hotel in Llogara Park. Overnight in a hotel.( B / PL / D )
ca.4 h. 500m
ca. 1.5 h
10
Qafa e Thelle Pass – Berat
We follow an old shepherd’s path to Qafa e Thelle pass. Then we follow the ridge to the Thanas summit where we enjoy our picnic and the wonderful view of the Ionian Sea. We descend along a gravel track on the Llogara Pass. Heading to Berat. Overnight in a hotel.( B/ PL / D )
ca.5 h. 500m 400m
ca. 2.5 h
11
Discover Berat
After breakfast we take a guided tour of the old quarters of Mangalem and Gorica. Then we go to the castle of Berat, which is yet inhabitated. Between the beautiful old houses there is still a beautiful icon museum dedicated to the icon painter Onufri. Onufri is the most famous icon painter of the 16th century and he is known for his special red. The rest of the evening is free time. ( B / – / D )
12
Hike in Berat
Today’s hike offers a fantastic view of the city of Berat and Shpiragumountain. Passing countless cherry trees we reach Drobonik. A small village that lives from the cherry harvest. On the village square is the church, school and a small family restaurant where we have well-earned a glass of home-made raki (schnapps). Then we drive to the Cobo winery and enjoy a wine tasting. Overnight like the day before. ( B / PL / – )
ca.3 h. 400m 150m
ca. 1 h
13
Durres – Kruje
Durres is one of the oldest cities in Abania, but today it is very modernized. Small remains such as the Amfiteater from the 11th century and the surrounding wall from the 5th century can still be seen. In Durres we also say goodbye to the coast and drive to Kruje, the heroic city of Albania. Kruje has been the symbol of the resistance and centrum of our national hero Skanderbeg. We visit the Historical Museum dedicated to the hero. * Optional hike on Sarisalltik mountain. Walking time 1.5 hours + 500m *. Overnight in a hotel. ( B / – / D )
ca. 2.5 h
14
Farewell to Albania
After an impressive week, we say goodbye to Albania and fly back.
- Day 1
-
01
Welcome in Albania
After a short drive (approx. 30min) we arrive to the capital, Tirana. Afternoon city tour of Tirana (approx. 2 hours) where we can see the main attractions such as Skanderbeg Square, Ethem Bey Mosque, the new Bazzar, the boulevard and the most famous district in Tirana, “the Bllok”, were we have dinner. Overnight in a hotel.( – / – / D )
- Day 2
-
02
Local mountain Dajti – Korce
After breakfast we go by bus to take a trip with the cable car that lasts 15 minutes.At 1000m we start our first hike and climb the Tujani summit (1500m). After the hike we have lunch in a restaurant with a wonderful view of the city of Tirana. Afterwards, we continue boosted to Korce. Through the Shkumbini valley we reach the Thana Pass where we can glance over the Ohrid lake, one of the oldest lakes in the world. In Korce we check in at the hotel and the rest of the afternoon is free. Dinner together in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.( B / L / D )
ca.3 h. 500m
ca. 3 h
- Day 3
-
03
Voskopoje hike to Shipske
A transfer takes us to Voskopoje, the famous trading town that today preserves the most beautiful churches in Albania. A shepherd’s path takes us to Shipske, a small village that is almost deserted. Here we see the church of St. George. We run back on a gravel road and drive back to Korce. We spend the night same as the previous one. ( B / PL / D ).
ca.4 h. 400m
ca. 1 h
- Day 4
-
04
Circular walk in Dardhe -Permet
We’re going up to 1300m. We start a circular hike from the small village of Dardhe. The path leads through beautiful meadows and forests. After the hike we have a long drive to Permet. On the way we are accompanied by beautiful views of the varied landscape. The southeast is the most pristine part of Albania. Dinner in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.( B / PL / D )
ca.2.5 h. 300m
ca. 5 h
- Day 5
-
05
Sopoti waterfall – thermal springs – Gjirokaster
We take a local bus to the starting point of our hike. We hike through an old gravel path to the beautiful waterfall of Sopoti. We go back the same way. On the way back we stop at the thermal springs in Benje and refresh before we continue to Gjirokaster. The museum city is also called the city of 1000 steps. The rest of the evening free time for your own discoveries in the old town.Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in a hotel. ( B / PL / D )
ca.3 h. 300m
ca. 2 h
- Day 6
-
06
Gjirokaster- Archaeological site of Butrint – Himare
Today is a culture day. We walk from the hotel to the castle, one of the largest in Albania. Then we visit a typical Gjirokastra house and learn more about how people lived 200 years ago. On the way to Butrint we stop at the Blue Eye. We arrive at the coast of Ksamil around noon and enjoy a lunch break there. Then we visit the archeological site of Butrint. Remains of different cultures such as Ilyrians, Greeks, Romans and Byzantines can be explored here. Afterwards we head to Himara. Overnight in a hotel.( B / – / D )
ca. 2.5 h.
- Day 7
-
07
Dhermi, Gjipe Bay
We drive to the old village of Dhermi and visit the Church of St. Mary. We start our hike to the bay of Gjipe from the main road. The clear water invites you to swim. After we have rested and swam, we drive back to Himara. Overnight same as the previous one. ( B / PL / D )
ca.3 h. 200m 300m
ca. 1 h
- Day 8
-
08
Hiking from Kudhes to Qeparo
A transfer takes us to Kudhes. Then we follow an old shepherd’s path through old olive plantations to Qeparo. An old stone village that is almost deserted. Here we can refresh ourselves with a drink at the small village pub. Heading to Himara. The rest of the evening is free time. Overnight same as the previous one. ( B / PL / D )
ca.4 h. 200m 300m
ca. 1 h
- Day 9
-
09
Dhjopuri Pass
After breakfast we leave the coast and drive up the Logara Pass 1000Hm. Our goal is the Dhjopuri Pass (1500Hm). A steep path through a pine forest leads us there. Sights of the Ionian Sea and the highest peak on the coast guide us on our hike. Today we stay in a hotel in Llogara Park. Overnight in a hotel.( B / PL / D )
ca.4 h. 500m
ca. 1.5 h
- Day 10
-
10
Qafa e Thelle Pass – Berat
We follow an old shepherd’s path to Qafa e Thelle pass. Then we follow the ridge to the Thanas summit where we enjoy our picnic and the wonderful view of the Ionian Sea. We descend along a gravel track on the Llogara Pass. Heading to Berat. Overnight in a hotel.( B/ PL / D )
ca.5 h. 500m 400m
ca. 2.5 h
- Day 11
-
11
Discover Berat
After breakfast we take a guided tour of the old quarters of Mangalem and Gorica. Then we go to the castle of Berat, which is yet inhabitated. Between the beautiful old houses there is still a beautiful icon museum dedicated to the icon painter Onufri. Onufri is the most famous icon painter of the 16th century and he is known for his special red. The rest of the evening is free time. ( B / – / D )
- Day 12
-
12
Hike in Berat
Today’s hike offers a fantastic view of the city of Berat and Shpiragumountain. Passing countless cherry trees we reach Drobonik. A small village that lives from the cherry harvest. On the village square is the church, school and a small family restaurant where we have well-earned a glass of home-made raki (schnapps). Then we drive to the Cobo winery and enjoy a wine tasting. Overnight like the day before. ( B / PL / – )
ca.3 h. 400m 150m
ca. 1 h
- Day 13
-
13
Durres – Kruje
Durres is one of the oldest cities in Abania, but today it is very modernized. Small remains such as the Amfiteater from the 11th century and the surrounding wall from the 5th century can still be seen. In Durres we also say goodbye to the coast and drive to Kruje, the heroic city of Albania. Kruje has been the symbol of the resistance and centrum of our national hero Skanderbeg. We visit the Historical Museum dedicated to the hero. * Optional hike on Sarisalltik mountain. Walking time 1.5 hours + 500m *. Overnight in a hotel. ( B / – / D )
ca. 2.5 h
- Day 14
-
14
Farewell to Albania
After an impressive week, we say goodbye to Albania and fly back.